THE WORLD'S IN 'GRAVE DANGER' IF WEST CAVES IN TO PUTIN

BRITAIN and Europe are in “grave danger” of failing the greatest security challenge since the Second World War, experts warned, as Donald Trump raced to nail down a peace agreement critics fear will reward Russia and put other nations at risk of invasion.

- By David Williamson and Marco Giannangeli

In the wake of the US-Russia summit in Alaska, alarm surged that President Volodymyr Zelensky will be pushed to accept a deal which leaves Ukraine weakened when he meets President Trump in Washington DC tomorrow.

Foreign policy experts warned that Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin will consider his face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump a victory because he was not forced into a ceasefire. There was deep concern last night he will now intensify the assault on Ukraine.

Former Defence Secretary Sir Grant Shapps said the "greatest risk" is a "hollow deal" which "freezes the conflict on Russia's terms, legitimises aggression and fractures allied resolve".

He said this would "betray Ukraine and imperil Europe's security for decades to come, including our own in the UK".

Sir Grant pushed for a "surge" in support for Ukraine to strengthen its air defences and long-range strike capability.

He warned: "Securing peace in Ukraine is the greatest challenge Europe has faced since the end of the Second World War and we are in grave danger of failing it." Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said Mr Trump must recognise Putin is attempting to manipulate him, with potentially catastrophic consequences on a global scale.